Do you remember the chia pet phenomenon back in early 90s? With that catchy jingle and those captivating commercials where the chia pet would sprout before our eyes? Well, little did we know that those little chia seeds were an ancient dietary staple for Aztec civilizations which would later emerge in North America as a Super Food.
Today, I will explore the health and nutritional benefits behind that mighty chia seed and explain how to get some chia into your diet. In my next blog post I will be comparing chia seeds to hemp and flax seeds!
Chia seeds are part of the mint family and are native to...
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The concept of a ‘super-food’ is an emerging phenomenon and encompasses foods with an extraordinary nutritional profile along with associated health benefits. Hemp is considered one of the world's most nutritious plants and definitely a ‘super-food’ you want in your pantry!
What is Hemp?
Hemp is a tall plant; in fact, the hemp plant can grow up to 18 feet high! Hemp has a strong, fibrous stalk and tiny, edible seeds known as hemp seeds or shelled as hemp hearts. It can be eaten whole, pressed into an edible oil, or ground into flour for baking. Hemp has been cultivated as food for over 5,000 years and is a...
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Meal planning can be a daunting task considering our hectic work schedules, our children’s sports or extracurricular activities and not to mention the parental task of ensuring homework is complete and the kids are to bed at a decent time! Nevertheless, if you (and your family) are looking to eat less processed foods, eat more fruits and vegetables in addition to less sugary and/or processed foods then meal planning is your key to success.
I believe that meal planning is truly an ‘art form’ which you get better at only with practice. Once meal planning becomes a habit, it can significantly lower your stress through improved meal-time organization and the enjoyment of delicious, balanced, healthy meals to energize your...
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It’s time for the fun game of nutritional comparison! Comparing Peanut Butter (PB) to the popular Italian hazelnut spread Nutella. This topic comes suggested to me by a busy couple in Waterloo seeking dietary guidance for their family. To answer this question, let’s take a look at the ingredient lists for both products and then compare their nutrition info. I will provide (as always) my 'bottom line' nutrition recommendations.
What’s In Nutella?
Ingredients (as listed on the label): SUGAR, modified palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk, reduced minerals whey (from milk), soy lecithin: an emulsifier, vanillin: an ARTIFICIAL flavour.
Please note,...
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Contrary to popular belief, our bodies burn slightly more calories adapting to cold temperatures than we do adapting to warm weather. When our bodies produce heat, we burn extra energy aka extra calories. Therefore, in cold environments, our body adapts quickly by stimulating smooth muscle contractions (i.e., shivering) in order to generate heat. Shivering requires caloric energy to generate heat.
Conversely, the summer heat has little effect on your resting calorie burning (aka BMR- Basal Metabolic Rate). If you find yourself sweating, this is not active calorie burning. However, if you are in heated environment...
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Circadian Rhythm: We all have an ‘internal clock’ which regulates our body's functioning by using environmental signals. If you find yourself naturally more alert at certain times of the day (10am) and more sluggish at other times, you have experienced your own circadian rhythm. The problem; however, comes when daily tasks throw off this internal clock. During the summer months, we might be more likely to tamper with our circadian rhythm. This can be by staying up late with friends or to study, increase in travel to other countries or time zones or doing shift work.
Research has shown that disruption to our circadian rhythm can wreck havoc on our natural sleep-wake cycle which is responsible for releasing hormones that impact our immunity,...
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It seems widespread that omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health; however, clients are often concerned about the amount of mercury in fish leading to birth defects or learning disabilities. Mercury is a toxic, global contaminate that does not break down in the environment and can build up in living things. Today’s blog will explore this concern in greater detail and highlight the types of fish that are low mercury.
How does Mercury get into Fish?
Mercury can be released naturally into the environment from rocks, soil, forest fires and volcanoes. Human activity is also responsible for increasing mercury in our atmosphere through industry practices like metal mining and coal-fired power generation. When mercury is released into...
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In my last post I explored the ‘Forgotten Mineral Magnesium’ and the numerous health benefits. Now that you understand the importance of magnesium for your health, let’s explore some of the best dietary sources to increase magnesium!
Note: Percent Daily Value = (% DV) is the percentage of the recommended amount of a vitamin or mineral in your diet.
1. Nuts and Seeds!
Filled with heart healthy fats, nuts and seeds are a healthy addition to your diet and a super source of magnesium:
Pumpkin seeds (1/4 cup) = 187mg (58%)
Brazil nuts (1/4 cup) = 133mg (38% DV)
Almonds, roasted (1/4 cup) = 110mg (31% DV)
2. Eat your Greens!
Looking for a reason to add...
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What if I told you that there is a mighty mineral that protects against heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and stroke? I am referring to a particular mineral that most Canadians are not getting enough of in their diets. This magnificent mineral is magnesium!
Today’s blog post is focused on the health benefits associated with magnesium. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is involved in over 300 biological or enzymatic processes. Functions of magnesium include: healthy muscle and nerve functioning, regulating blood sugar and regulating blood pressure. Similar to vitamin D, magnesium aids in the absorption of calcium for building strong bones and teeth.
Research studies are discovering that magnesium plays a very critical role in heart health. A recent study published...
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